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2009 Midland Stages Rally
ENGLISH TOPS THE CLASS IN THE MIDLANDS
Round 2 of the Peugeot Service Club Irish 205 Challenge took the drivers to the lovely town of Rooskey County Leitrim which sits on the Shannon River for Midland Motor clubs annual stage rally on Sunday last.
Just five crews started the nine stage event as more drivers struggle with the economic downturn. The stages which ran close to Longford town were uninspiring but still posed a challenge to the 120 cars which started the event. Stage one was a fast stage close to ten miles long and fastest through it were Andy Slattery co driven by Donal Lynch setting a time of 8.55s with their closet rival being Kenny English/ Joe Bannerton just 9 seconds down. Next came Noel Smith/ Dara Lyttle on 9.11 and Norman Dunne/ Eoin O Flattery on 9.13. First retirement was Damien and Thomas McGauran who finished the stage but retired on the road section with a blown head gasket. A bitter blow to the brothers from EnnisKillen who worked tirelessly during the week leading up to the event to ready their 205. Stage two was the longest of the event at 13 miles but was cancelled by the organisers before it was due to run so on to stage three for the remaining drivers.
Fastest through was Slattery and Dunne who tied on time. Next was English who dropped 18 seconds with a spin. Smith too lost time but the 3 minutes were down to slipping off the road at a tricky junction which was coated in mud. As the drivers reached first service in Longford town the positions read Slattery leading from Dunne with English just 9 seconds behind and Smith ruing his costly mistake in fourth.
Stage four saw all the drivers receive a stage interrupted time. Stage five was a repeat of two which was cancelled first time around and Smith stamped his name on it by going fastest by 14 seconds from Dunne who had English just 2 seconds behind him and Slattery right on his tail 1 second adrift but lucky to make it out after contact with a bank caused little damage. Stage six saw Smith fastest again with Slattery 3 seconds slower, this pair really pushing each other hard now and leaving English behind by 14 seconds through the stage. Dunne however was wondering what he had to do to finish this event, rolling over and retiring just a few miles into the stage. Back at service the support crews set about repairing the cars for the final three stages.
All the drivers were now trying very hard and this showed in the times with Smith fastest by 1 second from Slattery and English who tied on time. All this frantic pace was bound to cause trouble and so it did on stage eight for Slattery and Smith. Firstly Smith was slowed by an oil warning light which caused him to slacken his pace, then Slattery had to stop on the stage when a water pipe split sending the engine temperature soaring. Some handy work by the side of the stage got them going again but with the loss of 20 minutes. All this left English to cruise to the finish, setting fastest on both stage eight and nine to record his first ever win in the championship. Smith nursed his ailing car through the final stage to finish second and get his championship bid underway. Slatterys make shift repair held together to see the finish and gain valuable points to increase his lead in the challenge.
Back at the finish in the Shannon Key West hotel, English was a deserving winner having avoided trouble and pushed hard when it mattered most. Both Slattery and Smith can feel hard done by but that is the nature of the sport. Some consolation for Smith is the next round is his home rally, the Cavan Stages in May.
In the build up to the event all the drivers registered for Peugeot Service Club Irish 205 Challenge received support from Finol who are the distributors for Total quartz Lubricants, providing oils and fluids of the highest quality to meet the demands rallying puts on the cars in the championship.
Also providing support are Blaklader workwear who dressed the service crews with top quality overalls, protecting the wearer against the elements during the busy service interval and adding colour to the championship.
The Irish 205 challenge wish to thank the Midland motor club and all their marshals for a great event.
The Irish 205 challenge is proud to be sponsored by,
www.serviceclub.ie
Slatterys of Puckane, Peugeot and Subaru dealerships
Total quartz lubricants
Blaklader workwear
Kumho tyres
Ears motorsport
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